David and Fernando in front of the lake at Rollins College in Winter Park.

2013 and 2014 were years full of prayers and support.

David had many milestones in every therapy and we celebrated each one of them. We would not take anything for granted.

We learned that we had a responsibility to pray for family, friends, and all who came into our lives. We had the opportunity to make a difference in peoples’ lives through prayer. We understood that prayer works like a garden fork that removes the weeds and roots, which blur our understanding of God’s love. We pray in preparation for the moment where the free will is able to choose with an open heart. Some need many years of prayer because the roots are embedded deeply into their lives. These roots can be weakened with constant prayer - allowing a full relationship with God.

Saint Monica of Hippo always comes to mind whose 45 years of prayers liberated her son St. Augustine from strongholds and allowed him to freely choose his vocation.

Mom, Natacha and David

David began pointing constantly to heaven for every meal, every person, every plan, every event, and every struggle and blessing. We were on our way to truly learn how to trust and patiently wait for the right time for everything we would be confronted and blessed with. It was never wasted time because through it - we became aware of our deep selves and everything around us.

We joined bible study and did our first 30 days Consecration, learned many new Novenas and prayed for the healing of past experiences and memories for others and us. We thirst to read and were drawn to Henri Nouwen’s books. (http://henrinouwen.org/)

Matthew Kelly

Several years prior to his accident, David had shared his admiration for Matthew Kelly and about his teachings. (https://dynamiccatholic.com/matthew-kelly) To my surprise, Kelly was coming to Central Florida and David was very excited to attend his talk, “Living every day with Passion and Purpose”. At the entrance of the church, there were two baskets filled with names of all the priests of the Diocese of Orlando. The staff asked that all who were attending Kelly’s talk would pick a name from one of two baskets and to pray for the selected priest the entire year. The name of our priest was Father Tuttle, for whom we began praying that same day. When I shared the experience with my mother she was surprised to learn the name I had picked out of the over 200 names and wondered if it could be the same priest who had accompanied her and David as part of the Steubenville group, which traveled to Jerusalem in 2000.

Eight months later as we attended the blessing of the St. Michael the Archangel statue at the Shrine basilica Mary Queen of the Universe, we saw Father Tuttle concelebrating mass. As my mother introduced me to him, Fr. Tuttle could not get over the fact that David, my mother and him were together after so many years. He repeatedly mentioned that it was a sign that his name was whom we were entrusted with to pray for. He went to explain that he had moved to Florida and that for 3 years he couldn’t walk. He said that it was obvious he was getting better by our prayers.

Fr. Tuttle in Orlando.

Fr. Tuttle in Jerusalem.

New therapies and exercises were introduced and David worked out once or twice a day – Monday thru Friday with personal trainer Gretchen C. at the WS Civic Center pool & gym, with Eric at ProForm, Richard at Performance Rehab, CORA at University with Jordan, Fl. Hospital’s Sports Med Rehab/Hope Clinic, UCF and at CORE in Longwood. At therapy, David was kneeled for the first time since 2011, he learned how to roll over, winked, snapped his fingers, submerged under water at the pool, and stepped with his right leg bending the knee. He began moving his left shoulder and lifted his right knee by himself after 3 years.

After 2 years of praying for each other’s family, we met Jacob’s grandparents Al and Aggie who were in Central Florida for a convention. It was amazing to feel so connected to them and realized the deep effect that prayer has in us. We had many special moments with family and friends and met some amazing new people that year such as Jennifer F, Lorenzo & Lynette and Olivia at HOBT.

We created very special moments with family that visited and shared their joy.

In 2013, Eddy arranged for David and I to attend “Ultra Music Festival”. David had been a promoter of the event and was looking forward to seeing old friends. Eddy came to meet us and took us to the closed section in front of the bay. Many friends came to see David and it became very emotional for everyone.

We traveled to South Florida a few times. At my father’s burial, David was able to have closure and mourn his loss. We attended a healing retreat at Clearwater and Sister Briege Mckenna who directed the retreat, encouraged David to continue working hard. Had a great time at Ryan and Ashley’s wedding in South Florida and spent a wonderful afternoon in Tampa with uncles Joselo, Mireya, Marie and Rene.

My sister Noemy and brother in law Hector invited us to spend summer with them in Ohio. We were to surprise mom and celebrate her 80th birthday in Michigan. It would be the first time flying for David. His doctor approved for David to fly and had the most amazing time with family. There were many special events, which filled our lives with hope and joy.

For the first time, we participated in the Susan Koman 5K walk. At the finish line, his personal trainer Gretchen C. stood David up and little by little he made several steps. The crowd was applauding and Telemundo TV aired the emotional moment.

My first grandson Jawad was born in January 2014, which gave all of us a new understanding of God’s love.

David wished to reminisce and celebrated his 31st birthday at Semoran Skateway and had a fun time with family and friends. He also wanted to go to a football game at his high school and was able to see the - back then head coach, Mike Bisceglia.

At Sts. Peter & Paul Church, Steven, Fernando and David participated in the CRHP retreat and the men mentioned that they had never pointed to heaven as much as they did with David. Later Steven and David became part of the formation team sharing their journey and witnessing for the new retreaters. David formed part of the young adult Ablaze community. We volunteered to manage the Parish’s Gift Shop. Paula W. from the Faith Formation ministry, asked David to talk to the 30 young - 8th graders signed up for Confirmation. This would be the first time David would use his speech device. We shared about our mission, the Saints, Mary and opening their hearts to the works and gifts of the Holy Spirit.

During this time, we learned how we should never refuse hope and love to anyone. We learned how hatred corrodes us and how it prevents us from letting the innocent love of a child in us bring hope to others. We learned how love and hatred are constantly wrestling for the same space just as the inner struggle between life and death, hope and despair. We became aware of how becoming self-centered influences our decisions and can be the ground for evil to gain territory instead of allowing love to blossom even in the most difficult life situations.

We learned that when God begins something, He brings it to completion. That God continues to heal but that we need to reflect if we want to be well and is we want to be whole? If so, then we need to desire it and consent to it.

We prayed that we would not be disabled by pride, arrogance, envy, hatred or ignorance.

At the end the year we met Fr. Joseph Maniyangat at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Orange Park, Florida who had a life after death experience from a motorcycle accident in India.

Through his Eucharistic-healing ministry many people have been healed physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally. In front of the tabernacle, Father Maniyangat did a healing prayer for David. (www.frmaniyangathealingministry.com).

“When we have an open heart, we begin to see and understand God’s love every day. There is power in prayer and it’s our best gift of love to others”.

Authors

My son, David Arroyo and I, Ana Curras, collaborate together. This is our story. Our story because we are connected. We all are. When you hurt, I hurt, when you succeed, I succeed, when you have joy, I do too. It's in our design as human beings. Our story is intended to give hope, joy, encouragement and light. We pray to be inspired by our Creator, guided by Jesus Christ, moved by the Holy Spirit and accompanied by our Mother Mary.We believe.

﻿﻿﻿NOTE: Bible verses referred to in each post are linked to open to the verses for your convenience.